Diploma homologation in Spain: procedure, time and documents

Homologization, equivalencia and convalidación: how they differ

In Spain, three different procedures for recognition of foreign university education are most common, and they are regulated by Real Decreto 889/2022. [1].

Article 2 of the regulations gives definitions, effects Article 5 confirms the line of the Ministry [1][2][4]No procedure gives any other rank to the Spanish system: article 5.4 expressly excludes the conclusion of other degrees [1].

Do you need a degree in homologism in Spain?

The answer depends on the purpose, not the country of issue itself, but if you work in a profession to which the Spanish official title requires access, you need a homologación. [1][3].

If the profession is not regulated or you want to continue studying, enter the public service competition or confirm the level of the employer, it will be available at Grado or Máster level. Master ’s degree in Spain: [1][4].

Individual exceptions:

• Counsel and procurador: under a foreign diploma, homologación is not possible, convalidación part of the subject or equivalencia may be requested, but it does not grant a right to a profession or a master ’s degree that allows for admission. [5].
• Specialist physician (specialista Sanitario): Professional recognition of specialties is being considered by the Ministry of Health and not by the university department [5].
• Secondary school teacher: Grado is needed through equivalencia and a master's degree, which is either admitted to Spain or given homologación habeasante if you have a foreign teacher's degree. [5].
• Diploma from EEES: Other possible way, professional recognition under Directive 2005/36/EC [5].

Which diplomas won't accept

Article 4 of the Regulations states that they do not recognize [1]These points are important to practice.

• The first degree (títulos propios) and the formation of universities.
• The levels are different from Grado and Máster.
• A study you studied in Spain in whole or in part without a teaching permit or a programme that was not actually introduced at a foreign university at the time of your graduation.
• Diploma already awarded on identical application.
• Diploma you are simultaneously applying for through convalidación at the Spanish University (FAQ of the Ministry allows for this combination for equivalencia, but not for homologación) [1][5].
• Diploma obtained through work experience or informal courses, with more than 15% of the program's loans.

Minimum requirements for the Ministry's page: Grado at least three years and 180 ECTS, Máster at least a year and 60 ECTS or equivalent. Diplomas for less than three years are usually not recognized, leaving convalidación. [5]If the application is exempted, it is not considered on its merits and the duty is not returned [5].

Certificate of homologation documents

Basic set common for homologación and equivalencia [1][5]:

• Document confirming identity and nationality;
• Certificate or certificate of issuance;
• Academic background: Official duration of the programme, subjects, hours and credits of the ECTS (equivalencia can be added to the diploma);
• Confirmation of payment of the duty;
• Declaración responsable; power of attorney if a representative provides the data.

Diplomas and academic certificates are issued by legalized or apostilles of the Hague Convention and with an official translation into Spanish; no legalization is required for documents issued by the authorities of the EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEE) and Switzerland; the European Higher Education Area (EEES) countries are larger than this list; and documents from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan or Ukraine require apostilles [1]Detailed: Certificate and certificate, juror transfer.

For homologación only, add:

• A certificate of Spanish proficiency at or above the level of B2, if you are not a citizen of the State in which Spanish is official, is provided by DELE B2, the certificate of the official language school, the certificate of the university, that at least 75% of the programme you studied in Spanish or the certificate that the previous education was in Spanish. [1][5];
• documents confirming the right to work in this profession in the country of issue, if applicable [5];
• for pre-school and primary school teachers: C1 for Spanish for non-Spanish applicants [5].

Method of step application

1. Choose procedure. If both the profession and the academic level are needed, you can apply for both diplomas, fees for each individual [5].
2. Check the exceptions article 4 and the Ministry's page by profession [1][3].
3. Prepare apostille, translations, language certificate.
4. Pay the fee. The sede has an electronic payment, or a modulo 790 code 107 in a bank, or a transfer from abroad to the Bank of Spain, the exact amount must be transferred in its entirety, regardless of the bank commission. [2][5].
5. You can apply electronically. Need a digital certificate or entry with a log and password; save the way in, and check the application later [1][5].
6. Watch the office. Requests come in the same way and you have to answer in the same way. [1][5].
7. Get it back to the pre-reclusion. It's uploaded in sede digital format with electronic signature [1][5].

The period of the degree in the Spanish language is as follows:

The deadline is suspended between the request for a missing reply and your reply. [1]The actual time depends on the profession, the workload and the number of requests: the regulations guarantee a ceiling, not an average length; we have not found statistics on the time frame in official sources.

How much is homologation?

The tax 107 is 166.50 for each procedure: the homologación and equivalencia are paid separately, and can be paid at a sede, a modelo 790-107 or a transfer from abroad. [2][5]If the application is declared inadmissible, the duty is not returned [5]The fee may be changed, checked on the portal on the day of the application, and the cost of the apostille, translations and language examination shall be considered separately.

What the Ministry will decide and what is the conditional homologation

The solution is four kinds: homologación, equivalencia, rejection or conditional homologación. [1]The conditional means that you are offered a requisitos formulaios complementarios: practice, examination, project or course at the Spanish University where the required degree has been obtained. [1]The four-year period and Resolucion dated 26 May 2025 extended it for two more years for proceedings in progress on the date of its entry into force [6]After a conditional homologación, you can't apply for the same diploma again even if the term has expired. [1].

The decision may be appealed to recurso de reposición or immediately to the court of contencioso-administrativo within two months of notification or from the day when the refusal of silence occurred [1].

Specialities for Russian, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine

Diploma is apostille and translated by general rule; the order for Russia: Certificate and certificateA language certificate is required if you are not a citizen of a Spanish-speaking country [1][5].

The regulations provide for ease for beneficiaries of temporary protection: the procedure can be started on a declaración responsable without full package, duty is not required until the end of the instrucción, the time limit for correction is not applied until a decision is proposed. [1]Status: Temporary protection for Ukrainians.

The diploma of higher education from other CIS countries is subject to the same rules; we have not found any exceptions for these countries in the regulations.

Typical Errors

• To serve homologación where equivalencia is needed and vice versa. [5].
• Not to check the minimum duration: the diploma is not recognized for three years, it is worth considering convalidación [5].
• Applying for homologación and convalidación of the same diploma: this is a ground for inadmissibility [1][5].
• Lose access to the sede: checks and queries go the same way you started the application. [5].
• Failure to pay the duty on transfer from abroad: if the amount is not full, the application will not be processed [5].
• Order translation from an untested interpreter: Official translation into Spanish [1].

When Individual Review Is Needed

Advice is needed if the profession is regulated and you are not sure of the list, if you have a diploma from several higher education institutions or partly in Spain, if you want to apply for work or residence permits at the same time, if the Ministry has issued a conditional decision, and your documents and profession determine the procedure and the order in which it is applied.

What can we help you with?

The NEXO team in Barcelona will help define the procedure, prepare the apostille and translations, collect the kit and file the application through the attorney's sede, and then accompany the responses to the queries. Consultation; documents: Document servicesIf a diploma is required for employment, the steps are described in WorksheetA general overview of the grounds of residence is on the page Residence permit in Barcelona.

Frequent issues

Related materials

The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.